City News
This is news from the city of Boulder, about the city or any of its departments
Six puppies test positive for Parvovirus in Boulder
Aug 1st
The Boulder Police Department’s Animal Control Unit is notifying dog owners about potential Parvovirus (also called Parvo) among some dogs in the city.
At least six puppies have tested positive for the virus, and one has died. The others are undergoing veterinary treatment. The infected dogs were in the area of 9th and Canyon, near the library and municipal building.
Boulder’s Animal Control Unit says vaccinated dogs are at a very low risk of contracting the disease. If your dog is not current on vaccinations, there is a higher risk of exposure. Talk to your veterinarian if you have concerns or questions about whether your pet is current on shots.
Parvovirus is a serious viral disease. It is extremely contagious and the risk of exposure is a year-round issue. Parvo is most often an intestinal disease, but the virus can also infect the heart muscles. Sometimes an infected dog doesn’t show any symptoms of the virus, although it generally presents itself quickly (sometimes as soon as 12 hours) after a dog has been exposed.
Signs of intestinal Parvo include:
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea (usually bloody and foul-smelling
- Fever
- Intussusception– this is when a section of the animal’s intestinal tract telescopes into itself. This is an emergency which requires immediate veterinary attention.
There is no cure for Parvovirus. Veterinarians can give fluids orally if the infection is mild, or subcutaneously (under the skin) if dehydration is more extreme. Anti-vomiting medications, antibiotics and blood/plasma transfusions are also used in treatment.
Parvo is spread by dog-to-dog contact and contact with contaminated feces. People can carry the virus on their hands and clothes if they pet an infected dog or touch the leash or collar of an infected dog. The virus can also be carried on the bottoms of shoes if a person steps on feces or contaminated dirt, and can be transmitted from shoes to homes, workplaces and other areas.
The virus can remain “live” for up to seven months, so it’s important to properly disinfect areas which may have been exposed to the virus. Household bleach is the best disinfectant for surfaces like countertops and floors, or the bottoms of shoes. The dilution formula is one part bleach to 30 parts water. (Be careful with fabrics). Never, ever use the bleach solution on an animal. For people who are sensitive to the smell of bleach, there are commercially-available Parvovirus disinfectants which don’t smell as strong.
The best way to prevent your dog from becoming infected with Parvovirus is to vaccinate against the disease. Talk to your veterinarian if you have questions or need recommendations for your pet.
Boulder’s talking trash (pickup) again
Jul 28th
Special trash service dates announced
According to Boulder Revised Code (BRC) 1981 Section 6-3-9, property owners and managers of rental properties in the University Hill and Goss/Grove neighborhoods are required to contract with trash haulers for pick-up service for the following dates in 2012:
- Fall: Saturday, July 28 through Monday, August 27
The University Hill neighborhood boundaries are from Arapahoe Avenue to Baseline Road and from Broadway Street to Ninth Street, and the Goss/Grove neighborhood boundaries are from Canyon Boulevard to Arapahoe Avenue and from Folsom Street to 15th Street.
The Special Trash Service code requires that rental properties in these neighborhoods sign up for the program through their contracted trash haulers. The Boulder Police Department’s Code Enforcement Unit will issue a summons to property owners and managers of rental properties in these two neighborhoods if they are not signed up for the program, regardless of the extent of trash violations on their property. The fine for a violation of this section of the code is $250 for a first offense.
The Special Trash Service code requirement was implemented in 2003 as a result of a community group recommendation. During tenant move-in and move-out periods, which occur at the beginning and end of the University of Colorado’s academic year, the Goss/Grove and University Hill neighborhoods experience significant trash impacts. This program was initially developed as a pilot program in 2002. Its success resulted in the development of the specific code requirement.
Sign up for the Citizen’s Police Academy at the Boulder Police Department*
Jul 28th
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to be a police officer, or been interested in knowing more about the day-to-day operations at the Boulder Police Department, now is the time to sign up for the upcoming Citizen’s Police Academy course.
Nearly 800 citizens have participated over the years (this is the Department’s 29th Citizen’s Police Academy), and the new session starts on Sept. 5, 2012. It’s free and open to anyone over the age of 18. The course is held over a period of 12 weeks. Students and instructors meet once a week, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Here are a few of this session’s highlights:
- Detectives will discuss cases which have been solved, and talk about some of the ways investigations are handled;
- SWAT Team members will explain what the team does, when it’s called out, and show you some of their specialized equipment;
- Our Crime Analysts will talk about how they collect evidence at crime scenes, how various evidence is tested and how the information is used during investigations;
- The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office will give you a tour of the Boulder County Jail;
- You’ll have the opportunity to ride-along with an officer and gain some perspective about their work in the community;
- The Bomb Squad members will discuss their training and show you the equipment they use to protect them from harm;
- Learn how Dispatch Operators field 911 calls;
- Find out how records are kept, and what kind of law enforcement information is available to the public;
- And, officers who patrol Boulder will tell you about their districts and beats, and share their insights about officer safety issues.
The Citizen’s Police Academy is offered at no cost to allow community members to learn more about police operations and philosophy. Applicants should live or work in Boulder County, and be able to pass a criminal background check. To register, contact Karen MacPherson at 303-441-4325, or macphersonk@bouldercolorado.gov. Registration is open through August 27, 2012.
A graduation ceremony will be held on Dec. 5, 2012. Graduates will be able to join the Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association, which schedules monthly programs and speakers who focus on law enforcement-related topics.